NASA's KPLSS II contract awarded to Amentum Services, Inc. for $20.4M in FY25
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,409,904 ($20.4M)
Contractor: Amentum Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2024-10-01
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $56.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: KENNEDY PROPELLANT AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES II (KPLSS II) FISCAL YEAR 25 CUSTOMER FUNDING.
Place of Performance
Location: ORLANDO, BREVARD County, FLORIDA, 32899
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $20.4 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC. for work described as: KENNEDY PROPELLANT AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES II (KPLSS II) FISCAL YEAR 25 CUSTOMER FUNDING. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on essential propellant and life support services for NASA's Kennedy Space Center. 2. Amentum Services, Inc. is the incumbent contractor, suggesting a focus on continuity and expertise. 3. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. Fiscal Year 25 funding suggests this is part of an ongoing program with established needs. 5. The contract is awarded under full and open competition, implying a robust selection process. 6. The value of this specific delivery order is $20.4 million, representing a portion of a larger IDIQ or contract vehicle.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
This delivery order for $20.4 million represents funding for one fiscal year. Benchmarking against similar NASA support contracts is challenging without knowing the specific scope of services. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests cost control. The award to an incumbent contractor may indicate competitive pricing based on established performance and infrastructure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure the government receives the best value. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the designation suggests a competitive environment.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down prices through market forces and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective provider is selected.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are NASA's Kennedy Space Center and its associated spaceflight programs, ensuring critical infrastructure is maintained. Services delivered include essential propellant and life support systems, vital for launch operations and astronaut safety. The geographic impact is concentrated at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This contract supports a specialized workforce of engineers and technicians involved in maintaining complex aerospace systems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if scope creeps beyond the defined firm-fixed-price parameters.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical life support systems could pose a risk if performance degrades.
- Limited visibility into the detailed cost breakdown of the firm-fixed-price award.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Award to an incumbent contractor suggests a proven track record and operational efficiency.
- Full and open competition indicates a thorough evaluation process and potential for competitive pricing.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting aerospace operations. NASA's spending in this area is crucial for maintaining its launch capabilities and research facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve other large-scale government contracts for facility operations and maintenance, particularly within the aerospace and defense industries.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Amentum Services, Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors depending on their own procurement practices and the specific needs of the services provided.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is likely managed by NASA's contracting officers and program managers at the Kennedy Space Center. Accountability measures are embedded within the firm-fixed-price contract terms, performance requirements, and delivery schedules. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and public reporting, though specific performance metrics may be internal.
Related Government Programs
- Kennedy Space Center Operations Support Contracts
- NASA Launch Services
- Aerospace Engineering Services
- Life Support Systems Procurement
- Propellant Supply Contracts
Risk Flags
- Incumbent Contractor Risk
- Critical System Reliance
- Performance Degradation Potential
Tags
nasa, engineering-services, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, life-support, propellant, kennedy-space-center, florida, amentum-services-inc, fiscal-year-25
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $20.4 million to AMENTUM SERVICES, INC.. KENNEDY PROPELLANT AND LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES II (KPLSS II) FISCAL YEAR 25 CUSTOMER FUNDING.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AMENTUM SERVICES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $20.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-10-01. End: 2025-09-30.
What is Amentum Services, Inc.'s track record with NASA, particularly on similar life support and propellant contracts?
Amentum Services, Inc. has a significant history of supporting NASA, including at the Kennedy Space Center. They have been involved in various aspects of facility operations, engineering, and technical services. Their incumbency on contracts like KPLSS II suggests a sustained performance record that has met NASA's requirements. While specific performance metrics for past contracts are often not publicly detailed, their continued awards indicate a generally positive relationship and successful execution of complex aerospace support services. This includes managing critical systems like life support and propellant handling, which require stringent safety and operational standards.
How does the $20.4 million FY25 funding compare to previous years for KPLSS or similar contracts?
Without historical data for the KPLSS II contract specifically, a direct year-over-year comparison for this exact funding amount is not possible. However, the value of $20.4 million for a single fiscal year's customer funding suggests a substantial, ongoing requirement for propellant and life support services. NASA's overall budget and specific program needs can fluctuate, impacting the funding allocated to individual contracts. To provide a precise comparison, one would need access to historical funding data for KPLSS or comparable contracts awarded to Amentum or other contractors supporting similar functions at NASA centers over the past several fiscal years.
What are the primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract for propellant and life support services?
The primary risks associated with this firm-fixed-price contract, despite its cost certainty, revolve around potential performance issues and scope management. If Amentum Services, Inc. faces unforeseen technical challenges or operational disruptions, meeting the firm-fixed-price without impacting quality or safety could become difficult. There's also a risk of scope creep if the requirements evolve beyond what was initially defined, potentially leading to disputes or the need for contract modifications. Furthermore, over-reliance on a single contractor for critical systems like life support and propellant handling introduces a performance risk; any degradation in service could directly impact NASA's mission objectives and astronaut safety.
How effective is the full and open competition process in ensuring value for money for NASA's KPLSS II contract?
The full and open competition process is designed to ensure value for money by exposing the contract to the widest possible pool of qualified bidders. This competition drives down prices as companies vie for the award, and it allows NASA to select the offer that best balances technical capability, past performance, and cost. For KPLSS II, this means that Amentum Services, Inc. likely had to present a compelling offer to win against potential competitors. While the firm-fixed-price nature of the award already sets a defined cost, the competitive process helps ensure that this price is reasonable and reflects market conditions, thereby maximizing the value NASA receives for its investment in critical support services.
What is the typical duration and total value of contracts similar to KPLSS II at NASA?
Contracts similar to KPLSS II, which provide essential operational support services like life support and propellant management at NASA centers, often have durations ranging from 3 to 5 years, sometimes with options for extensions. The total value can vary significantly based on the scope and complexity of services, but they frequently run into tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars over their lifecycle. The current delivery order of $20.4 million for FY25 suggests this is part of a larger, potentially multi-year effort. Benchmarking against other large NASA support contracts indicates that such services are critical and command substantial, long-term investment to ensure mission readiness and safety.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: PAE Government Services Inc.
Address: 20501 SENECA MEADOWS PKWY STE 300, GERMANTOWN, MD, 20876
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,814,591
Exercised Options: $21,814,591
Current Obligation: $20,409,904
Actual Outlays: $20,409,904
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NOT OBTAINED - WAIVED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 80KSC020D0008
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-10-01
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
More Contracts from Amentum Services, Inc.
- Logcap IV Services in Afghanistan — $7.4B (Department of Defense)
- KSC Institutional Services Contract (ISC) — $1.3B (National Aeronautics and Space Administration)
- Enhanced Army Global Logistics Enterprise (eagle) - Army Prepositioned Stock (APS)-5 Kuwait/Qatar, Logistics Support Services, Including Maintenance, Supply, and Transportation — $1.3B (Department of Defense)
- Federal Contract — $1.2B (Department of Defense)
- Contract Award for Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), Also Referred to AS Life Cycle Services, for the Government-Owned Fixed Wing Fleets Performing Transport Aircraft (TA) Missions, Currently Compromised of Small Weight Class Aircraft Models, Using Full and Open Competitive, Best Value Procedures With Formal Source Selection — $962.3M (Department of Defense)
Other National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracts
- International Space Station — $22.4B (THE Boeing Company)
- TAS::80 0124::TAS Design, Development, Test&evaluation of Project Orion — $15.5B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- Provide Developmental Hardware and Test Articles, and Manufacture and Assemble Ares I Upper Stages. the Upper Stage (US) Element IS an Integral Part of the Ares I Launch Vehicle and Provides the Second Stage of Flight. the US Element IS Responsible for the Roll Control During the First Stage Burn and Separation; and Will Provide the Guidance and Navigation, Command and Data Handling, and Other Avionics Functions for the Ares I During ALL Phases of the Ascent Flight. the US Element IS a NEW Design That Emphasizes Safety, Operability, and Minimum Life Cycle Cost. the Overall Design, Development, Test and Evaluation (ddt&e), Production, and Sustaining Engineering Efforts Include Activities Performed by Three Organizations; the Nasa Design Team (NDT), the Upper Stage Production Contractor (uspc) and the Instrument Unit Production Contractor (iupc). for Clarity, the Uspc Will BE Referred to AS the Contractor Throughout This Document. Nasa IS Responsible for the Integration of the Primary Elements of the Ares I Launch Vehicle Including: the First Stage, US Including Instrument Unit (IU), and US Engine; and Will Also Integrate the Ares I Launch Vehicle AT the Launch Site. Nasa IS Responsible for the Ddt&e, Including Technical and Programmatic Integration of the US Subsystems and Government-Furnished Property. Nasa Will Lead the Effort to Develop the Requirements and Specifications of the US Element, the Development Plan and Testing Requirements, and ALL Design Documentation, Initial Manufacturing and Assembly Process Planning, Logistics Planning, and Operations Support Planning. Development, Qualification, and Acceptance Testing Will BE Conducted by Nasa and the Contractor to Satisfy Requirements and for Risk Mitigation. Nasa IS Responsible for the Overall Upper Stage Verification and Validation Process and Will Require Support From the Contractor. the Contractor IS Responsible for the Manufacture and Assembly of the Upper Stage Test Flight and Operational Upper Stage Units Including the Installation of Upper Stage Instrument Unit, the Government-Furnished US Engine, Booster Separation Motors, and Other Government-Furnished Property. a Description of the Nasa Managed and Performed Efforts IS Contained in the US Work Packages and Will BE Made Available to the Contractor to Ensure Their Understanding of the Roles and Responsibilities of the NDT, Iupc, and Contractor During the Design, Development, and Operation of the US Element. the US Conceptual Design Described in the Uso-Clv-Se-25704 US Design Definition Document (DDD) IS the Baseline Design for This Contract. the Contractors Early Role Will BE to Provide Producibility Engineering Support to Nasa VIA the Established US Office Structure and to Provide Inputs Into the Final Design Configuration, Specifications, and Standards. Nasa Will Transition the Manufacturing and Assembly, Logistics Support Infrastructure, Configuration Management, and the Sustaining Engineering Functions to the Contractor AT the KEY Points During the Development and Implementation of the Program Currently Planned to Occur NO Later Than 90 Days After the Completion of the Following Major Milestones: Manufacturing and Assembly US Preliminary Design Review (PDR) Logistics Support Infrastructure US PDR Configuration Management US Critical Design Review CDR) Sustaining Engineering US Design Certification Review (DCR) After the Completion of an Orderly Transition of Roles and Responsibilities to the Contractor, Nasa Will Assume an Insight Role Into the Contractors Production, Sustaining Engineering, and Operations Support of the Ares I US Test Program and Flight Hardware. After DCR, the Contractor Will BE Responsible for Sustaining Engineering PER SOW Section 4.7, AS Necessary to Maintain and Support the US Configuration and for Production and Operations Support — $10.5B (THE Boeing Company)
- Space Program Operations Contract (spoc) — $8.5B (United Space Alliance, LLC)
- Joint Us/Russian Human Space Flight Activities — $4.7B (Russia Space Agency)
View all National Aeronautics and Space Administration contracts →